Where to renew and what you need before you start
You can renew your Tennessee driver's license in person at any Driver Services Center, or online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and works for almost everyone. The online route is faster but only works if your license is not expired by more than one year, you have no medical suspensions, and your address hasn't changed.
Before you go or log in, gather your current driver's license, proof of Tennessee residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you're renewing in person, bring your original Social Security card or a certified copy of your birth certificate — a photo of either one won't work.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical holds, or renew in person at any Driver Services Center.
- In-person renewal requires your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and either your original Social Security card or certified birth certificate.
- A new license costs $28.50 for an eight-year renewal or $16.50 for a four-year renewal, and you choose the term when you renew.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval, and you can drive on your old license until it arrives.
Renewing online through the Tennessee website
Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and select the online renewal option. You'll enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. The system will confirm whether you're may be able to access — if your license is expired by more than one year or you have any medical suspensions, you'll be directed to renew in person instead.
If you're may be able to access, you'll review your current information and update your address if needed. You'll choose whether to renew for four years ($16.50) or eight years ($28.50), then pay by debit card or credit card. After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing in person at a Driver Services Center
Find your nearest Driver Services Center on the Tennessee Department of Safety website — there are locations in every county. You don't need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Early mornings and weekday afternoons are usually shorter than late afternoons and Saturdays.
Walk in with your documents, take a number, and wait to be called. When it's your turn, tell the clerk you're renewing. They'll verify your identity, take a new photo, and ask if you want to renew for four years or eight years. Pay at the counter — $16.50 for four years or $28.50 for eight years — and you're done. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.
What happens if your license is expired by more than a year
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online and must go to a Driver Services Center in person. The process is the same as a standard renewal, but the clerk may ask additional questions about why the license lapsed. Bring all the same documents: your expired license, proof of residency, and either your original Social Security card or certified birth certificate.
You'll still pay the standard renewal fee and receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. There is no penalty fee for renewing a license that has been expired for an extended period, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.
If your name or address has changed
If you've married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your last license, bring the court order or vital record that documents the change. You can renew online only if your address hasn't changed — if it has, you must renew in person. At the Driver Services Center, the clerk will update your name and address during the renewal process at no extra cost.
If you're renewing online and your address has changed, stop and go to a Driver Services Center instead. The online system won't let you proceed if your address differs from what's on file, and updating it requires in-person verification.
After your new license arrives
Your new license will come in a white envelope from the Tennessee Department of Safety. Check it when ready for errors in your name, address, or date of birth. If something is wrong, return to a Driver Services Center with your new license and the document that proves the correct information — for example, a birth certificate if your date of birth is wrong.
Destroy your old license once the new one arrives. You can cut it up or shred it. Your new license is valid when ready upon arrival, even though your old one may not have expired yet. If your new license doesn't arrive within 14 business days, contact the Tennessee Department of Safety at the phone number on their website to check the status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's suspended or revoked?
No. You must resolve the suspension or revocation with the Tennessee Department of Safety before you can renew. Contact them directly to find out what's required — this might be paying a fine, completing a course, or waiting out a medical hold. Once it's cleared, you can renew normally.
What if I don't have my Social Security card or birth certificate?
You must have one of these documents to renew in person. If you don't have your Social Security card, order a replacement from the Social Security Administration — this takes about two weeks. If you don't have your birth certificate, order a certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born.
Can someone else pick up my new license for me?
No. Your new license is mailed directly to you at the address on file. You cannot have it sent elsewhere or picked up by someone else. If you're moving, update your address before you renew so the license goes to your new home.
Do I need a new photo if I renew online?
No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. If you renew in person, you'll get a new photo taken at the Driver Services Center.
What if I lose my license before the new one arrives?
Go to a Driver Services Center and report it lost. You'll pay $7 for a replacement, and it will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can still drive on your old license if you have it, or on your renewal confirmation if you don't.